Tuesday April 15, 2003 Yesterday (Monday) we went on our first hiking trail 01 mile and a half) and took all the cold away, everyone was taking all there jackets, beanies and gloves, plus we were playing a challenge game and we were focusing mentally as well as physically on trying to complete out challenge, we accomplished it after a few tries. We also got to know each other a little better. At first everyone was shy and then we gained confidence and everyone was talking to each other. Tomorrow we will be packing to go on out backpack trail trip and we will be staying for 2 nights and 3 days 1 think. I truly look forward to going on this trip. It's defenently a first for me, and it will be new experience. I am a little worried about the bathroom situation and the sleeping situation but I guess new experience can never hurt.

Tuesday April 15, 2003 Now that you've experienced wilderness, what do you think about it? What did you think of wilderness before you visited it?

Only one word comes to mind when I think of wilderness, that word is perfect, the fact that you are abable to sit and hear nothing but wind, water and the movement up the trees from the air is more then what you can ask for to clear your mind from the ordinary noise, smell and view of Los Angeles. The car, the smell of polluted air, and the view, being house, people, other houses and more people. Out in the wilderness, absolutely nothing can come between you and nature. It gives you an opportunity to get connected to the earth's history, and it's formation. Observing other animals and insects of the wild. On out way down to were we will be spending the night which is

We passed a few small water falls and I just thought that it was one of the most beautiful sighting ever that if I could just sit next to the waterfall and look how it falls, flows and moves along the river, I can easily loose track of time and let night fall upon my view. I used to feel that nature was only a thought that I had in my mind that I would never see come to life, but now I have realized that is had and even more amazing then that of which I had in mind. This is my first experience ever sleeping in the open, I did it one in my back yard but nothing compares to this, and I am glad that I can have this experience that I can share and treasure forever.

Thursday April 16, 2003Now that you've learned about the history of Hite's Cove, imagine what life would have been like in the gold rush era. How do you think they viewed wilderness back then? During the gold rush I think men would have gotten used to the outside living, plus there were not women to go home to and tell them about their day at work, and couldn't come home to a warm plate of food. I spend 2 days there and I did not get used to the cold weather, having to go to the bathroom behind a bush or not showering for a couple of days. I think I wouldn't be able to survive because I'm used to the city life and it's